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Vapor Blasting
#745978
08/18/18 9:53 pm
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 742
Richard Phillips
OP
BritBike Forum member
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OP
BritBike Forum member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 742 |
Looking for a Vapor Blasting source in California, preferably the Central Coast
Richard
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: Richard Phillips]
#745980
08/18/18 10:08 pm
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,466
Andy Higham
BritBike Forum member
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BritBike Forum member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,466 |
Just be aware that "vapour blasting" is a misleading term. It uses the same media as bead blasting but suspended in water. The media will get stuck in every nook and cranny and escape when it can do maximum damage. After blasting blow out with compressed air, wash with warm water and washing up liquid, repeat several times. When you are sure every last particle of media is removed, wash and blow another couple of times. REMEMBER just ONE glass bead can wreck a bearing
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: Richard Phillips]
#746034
08/19/18 10:54 am
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
kurt fischer
#irideslow
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#irideslow
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626 |
I'm looking into soda blasting to avoid the problems and risks Andy cites.
Kurt
-- Don't believe everything you think.
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: Richard Phillips]
#746038
08/19/18 11:54 am
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,765
AngloBike
BritBike Forum member
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BritBike Forum member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,765 |
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: Richard Phillips]
#746046
08/19/18 2:02 pm
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,967
KC in S.B.
BritBike Forum member
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BritBike Forum member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,967 |
No, vapor blasting is not dangerous to engines. In fact, it is an improvement. The only problem is they are hard to find. This place has a 5 star rating by me, and they will even help with the shipping. Read the facts: https://www.restocycle.com/vapor-blasting-faq
Last edited by KC in S.B.; 08/19/18 2:10 pm.
Down to 1 BSA, 2 Triumphs, 1 '56 Chevy 1 '65 XLCH, Hernia Gift, on the way to Japan!
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: KC in S.B.]
#746056
08/19/18 4:22 pm
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
kurt fischer
#irideslow
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#irideslow
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626 |
No, vapor blasting is not dangerous to engines. In fact, it is an improvement. The only problem is they are hard to find. This place has a 5 star rating by me, and they will even help with the shipping. Read the facts: https://www.restocycle.com/vapor-blasting-faqKC, From the FAQ of your link: How to you prevent blast media from becoming trapped in my parts? With regard to blast media, the first order of business is to start with a clean part, including in the oil passages and galleries, which are very thoroughly cleaned. Oil and other engine passages are then plugged or masked. Any part with a thread is also plugged to prevent media from lodging in the threads. After vapor blasting parts are immediately rinsed, several times, and then dried with compressed air. Then the plugs and masking are removed and the process is repeated. It is however the customer's responsibility to verify that no blast media is present and the parts are ready to be put back into service.Nowhere that I can see does it say that your parts will be blast-media free. For my money, i will continue to avoid.
Kurt
-- Don't believe everything you think.
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: Richard Phillips]
#746099
08/19/18 11:23 pm
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 742
Richard Phillips
OP
BritBike Forum member
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OP
BritBike Forum member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 742 |
THANK YOU KC.
KURT WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST TO CLEAN YOUR PARTS OR WHAT DO YOU DO TO CLEAN YOUR ALLOY PARTS TO MAKE THEM LOOK AS NEW. THANK YOU, RICHARD
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: Richard Phillips]
#746160
08/20/18 1:34 pm
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,585
Tridentman
BritBike Forum member
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BritBike Forum member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,585 |
I guess that my friend Kurt may have been referring to me. I certainly use soda blasting for cleaning cases etc in a restoration. Two reasons: --- it leaves no residue as the soda is water soluble and after blasting I wash thoroughly in hot water (when my wife is out shopping of course!). --- you can do it yourself and be very particular and take your time--in a way that a commercial undertaking cannot--time for them is money--time for us is the satisfaction of a good job done.
I use the HF system that Kurt mentioned. From memory they offer two sizes--I have the larger of the two. And of course you need a compressor to power it. My compressor is quite small but I have connected to its reservoir an extra reservoir (also from HF) which increases the air storage capacity. I cannot soda blast continuously-- I have to blast then wait for the compressor to "catch up". This would probably be a big problem if blasting large areas such as a car body panel. But our requirements are related to quite small parts and blasting a small part and then putting it down and sorting out the next part to blast gives time for the compressor to "recover".
As Kurt also mentions I do my blasting in the road outside my house-- normally in the daytime in the week when most of my neighbors are at work (I am retired). The local cops come around sometimes but they know me as "the crazy Englishman with the motorcycles" and just drive on. BTW--it makes one hell of a mess but I just hose the residue down afterwards with a garden hose into the gutter. The soda is biodegradable so no problem there. HTH
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: Richard Phillips]
#746261
08/21/18 3:54 am
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,967
KC in S.B.
BritBike Forum member
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BritBike Forum member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,967 |
Waiting for my 2 motors to blow up.............
Down to 1 BSA, 2 Triumphs, 1 '56 Chevy 1 '65 XLCH, Hernia Gift, on the way to Japan!
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: KC in S.B.]
#746288
08/21/18 12:14 pm
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
kurt fischer
#irideslow
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#irideslow
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626 |
I guess that my friend Kurt may have been referring to me. I certainly use soda blasting for cleaning cases etc in a restoration. Two reasons: --- it leaves no residue as the soda is water soluble and after blasting I wash thoroughly in hot water (when my wife is out shopping of course!). --- you can do it yourself and be very particular and take your time--in a way that a commercial undertaking cannot--time for them is money--time for us is the satisfaction of a good job done. ... Tridentman, thank you for your experience and thoughtful explanation.  Waiting for my 2 motors to blow up............. KC, sample size too small 
Kurt
-- Don't believe everything you think.
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: Richard Phillips]
#746291
08/21/18 12:25 pm
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,887
dave jones
BritBike Forum member
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BritBike Forum member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,887 |
I used clothes washing detergent in very hot water to clean alloy parts. Works well. You have to rinse well after especially if there are any steel fittings (studs, etc)to go rusty. You can use mild acid like is used for cleaning alloy wheels if it has gone a bit white, too.
Dave
Last edited by dave jones; 08/21/18 12:27 pm.
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Re: Vapor Blasting
[Re: Richard Phillips]
#746328
08/21/18 6:59 pm
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 742
Richard Phillips
OP
BritBike Forum member
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OP
BritBike Forum member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 742 |
Thanks Dave good idea. Im going with Vapor Blast. I saw comparisons between soda and vapor. I saw a slight brownish tint in the soda next to a vapor blast part. I am not convinced the soda improves the surface. The vapor blast actually improves the metal and I'll go with the gang at Rolls Royce. Soda blast is excellent for automotive sheet metal that is sensitive to warping. Regardless my intention was not a lecture on the dangers and voodoo of Vapor Polishing just a professional source to do the job for my restoration to a BSA West Coast Hornet to Concourse condition .
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